MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Program Quality Assurance Services
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

Charter School or District: New Salem-Wendell

CPR Onsite Year: 2014-2015

Program Area: Special Education

All corrective action must be fully implemented and all noncompliance corrected as soon as possible and no later than one year from the issuance of the Coordinated Program Review Final Report dated 03/10/2015.

Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 03/10/2016

Summary of Required Corrective Action Plans in this Report

Criterion / Criterion Title / CPR Rating
SE 32 / Parent advisory council for special education / Partially Implemented
CR 10A / Student handbooks and codes of conduct / Partially Implemented
CR 12A / Annual and continuous notification concerning nondiscrimination and coordinators / Partially Implemented
CR 21 / Staff training regarding civil rights responsibilities / Partially Implemented
CR 24 / Curriculum review / Not Implemented
CR 25 / Institutional self-evaluation / Not Implemented
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 32 Parent advisory council for special education / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Documents and interviews indicate that New Salem-Wendell Public Schools has not established its own Parent Advisory Council (PAC), but participates as a member of the larger Erving School Union 28 PAC. The district has not applied to the Department for a waiver to implement their PAC in this manner.
Description of Corrective Action:
Historically, the Director maintained consistent effort to establish PACs at each district Elementary school. meetings were posted in the school newsletter, and efforts through person-to-person contact were made. Despite these efforts. parent attendance was very poor. Often one parent, and more often, no parents attended the meetings. The collaboration of a small, though active and committed group of parents from the four Union districts has been, and is anticipated to remain beneficial to the students due to the shared vision of this PAC. New Salem-Wendell Public Schools proposes to continue to implement the PAC according to current practice: As a community within the Erving School Union #28, including the four Union districts, New Salem-Wendell parents of students with disabilities who are eligible for special education services are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Erving School Union #28 PAC. The members of the Erving School Union PAC collaborate toward common goals: parent education, parent and student support, and community networking and outreach. All efforts are focused on the educational and social well-being of students with disabilities. The Director of Student Support Services attends all meetings, conducts training and shares information, and has formed a relationship with each family. For our Union, this collaborative format has strengthened our purpose and parent participation. As agreed upon by the PAC, meetings are held in a rotation between the Erving Elementary School and the Leverett Elementary School, as these schools are most centrally located. In addition, the PAC has a relationship with the Community Network for Children (CNC), and PAC members also attend eight evening parent support group meetings a year in collaboration with CNC. This relationship has provided a safe forum for parents to share concerns and to provide up port to one another, and to access the Director of Student Support Services and the CNC Director who facilitates these meetings.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Prudence Marsh, Ed.D., Director of Student Support Services / Expected Date of Completion:
04/03/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
A Request For Alternative Compliance Waiver form to implement the PAC in the above described manner was submitted on 2/4/2015 via US mail to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program Quality Assurance. This request was approved via a letter from Darlene Lynch dated February 20, 2015.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
The Director of Student Support Services serves as facilitator of the PAC, and monitors the process to ensure that all Massachusetts requirements and regulations for PACs are implemented, including: offering membership to all parents of students found eligible for special education services in each district; conducting at least one training annually on the rights of students and their parents and guardians; and meeting at regular intervals.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 32 Parent advisory council for special education / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:04/22/2015
Correction Status:Not Corrected
Basis for Decision:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district must submit a copy of the letter from the Department approving a waiver for the 2014-2015 school year specific to the regulation requiring the district to establish a parent advisory council on special education by May 11, 2015.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
05/11/2015

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MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

New Salem-Wendell CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 10A Student handbooks and codes of conduct / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the district's nondiscrimination policy does not contain the required protected category of gender identity.
Description of Corrective Action:
The New Salem-Wendell District /Swift Elementary School updated policies and staffing changes that were entered into the 2014-2015 school handbook. However, it was brought to our attention during the CPR in October 2014, that the handbook did "not contain the required protected category of gender identity."
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Prudence Marsh, Ed.D., Director of Student Support Services / Expected Date of Completion:
06/15/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Robert Mahler, Superintendent of the Erving School Union #28, is working with the New Salem-Wendell school committee to update policies. This spring, between April and June 2015, the required protected category of gender identity will be added to the existing New Salem-Wendell School District Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
To ensure that all information is correct and current, all content and policies that comprise the (New Salem-Wendell) Swift River School Family handbook are reviewed each year.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 10A Student handbooks and codes of conduct / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:04/22/2015
Correction Status:Not Corrected
Basis for Decision:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will submit to the Department a copy of the section of the student handbook that includes the nondiscrimination policy with the protected category of gender identity added by September 29, 2015.
The district will submit to the Department evidence that the updated policy has been disseminated to staff, students and parents for the 2014-2015 school year by September 29, 2015.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/29/2015

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MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

New Salem-Wendell CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 12A Annual and continuous notification concerning nondiscrimination and coordinators / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the notice that appears on written materials and other media publicizing the district's school does not contain the required protected category of gender identity.
Description of Corrective Action:
The New Salem-Wendell District/Swift River Elementary School has an updated (Feb/2015) letterhead/clause that now includes the protected category of gender identity. This letterhead and clause is on all correspondence/written material that is sent to families and the community on behalf of the school.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Prudence Marsh, Ed.D., Director of Student Support Services / Expected Date of Completion:
02/15/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
The clause at the bottom of the Swift River Elementary School letterhead now states: "The New Salem-Wendell School District assures that all programs, activities, and employment opportunities are offered without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, economic status, homelessness, sexual orientation or disability."
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
To ensure that all content used to publicize the school district remains correct and current, all content and policies are reviewed and updated each year.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 12A Annual and continuous notification concerning nondiscrimination and coordinators / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:04/22/2015
Correction Status:Not Corrected
Basis for Decision:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will submit to the Department a sample letterhead and a list of materials and publications that contain the notice that the district utilizes to publicize the district's school to ensure that written materials and other media include the protected category of gender identity by May 11, 2015.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
05/11/2015

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MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

New Salem-Wendell CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 21 Staff training regarding civil rights responsibilities / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that annual in-service training for all school personnel regarding civil rights responsibilities, including the prevention of discrimination and harassment does not include the protected category of gender identity.
Description of Corrective Action:
Each year, in September, the Director of Student Support Services has presented an in-service training to all school personnel regarding civil rights responsibilities, including the prevention of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, and homelessness. This training has not previously included the protected category of gender identity. Based on the new Salem-Wendell Coordinated Program Review, the Erving School Union #28 Superintendent, the Director of Student Support Services, and the Swift River Elementary School Principal, are now aware of the requirement to include the protected category of gender identity in the civil rights in-service training regarding prevention of discrimination and harassment.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Prudence Marsh, Ed.D., Director of Student Support Services / Expected Date of Completion:
09/30/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
In September, 2015, the Director of Student Support Services will present an in-service training to all school personnel regarding civil rights responsibilities, including the prevention of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, and homelessness. During the September, 2015 training, critical focus will be placed on issues of gender identity as these pertain to the prevention of discrimination and harassment in our schools. All staff will be given documentation regarding the law "An Act Relative to Gender Identity" that went into effect on July, 1, 2012, including the accompanying DESE guidance document, clarifying how the law and its accompanying regulations apply to school districts, and the actions we can take to ensure the well-being of all our students, staff, and families.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
The annual Civil Rights training will maintain current and consistent information regarding school district civil rights responsibilities, ensuring that all staffs are informed with the most recent information and guidance from DESE. If and when there are questions and/or concerns regarding discrimination or harassment, the Superintendent, the Director of Student Support Services, the Swift River Elementary School Principal, and involved staff members will discuss necessary issues, and take the appropriate actions to ensure the continued well-being of all students, staff, and families.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 21 Staff training regarding civil rights responsibilities / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:04/22/2015
Correction Status:Not Corrected
Basis for Decision:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will submit to the Department copies of the agenda, dated attendance sheet with staff role and signature and copies of materials presented to all school personnel regarding civil rights responsibilities, including the prevention of discrimination and harassment to include the protected category of gender identity by September 29, 2015.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/29/2015

1

MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

New Salem-Wendell CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 24 Curriculum review / CPR Rating:
Not Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the district does not have a procedure to ensure that individual teachers in the district review all educational materials for simplistic and demeaning generalizations, lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin and sexual orientation.
Description of Corrective Action:
Historically, consistent with the Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 26.00, the New Salem-Wendell School Committee passed a policy titled "Access to Equal Educational Opportunity in the Basic Instructional Program" that was last updated in 2007. The policy states: (1) The District shall, "through its curricula, encourage respect for the human and civil rights of all individuals regardless of color, sex. religion, national origin or sexual orientation." (2) The teachers in the District "shall review all instructional and educational materials for simplistic and demeaning generalizations, lacking educational merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. Appropriate activities, discussions and or supplementary materials shall be used to provide balance and context for any such stereotypes depicted in such materials", that have been chosen for other valid educational purposes. Whenever possible, the District will remove any discriminatory materials when instructionally, logistically, and financially possible, to be replaced by materials that depict a broad variety of positive roles consistent with the intent of 603 CMR 26.00. Historically, to ensure that all teachers are aware of this District policy, and to secure documentation that each teacher has reviewed all instructional and educational materials for simplistic and demeaning generalizations, teachers are required to complete a document "Annual Examination of Educational Materials for Simplistic and Demeaning Generalizations". Corrective Action Plan: (1) In the spring of 2015, the New Salem-Wendell School Committee will update the "Access to Equal Educational Opportunity in the Basic Instructional Program" policy to include the protected category of gender identity. (2) By June 1, 2015, the Swift River Elementary School Principal and the Director of Student Support Services, will hold a staff meeting where staff will be informed about the requirement regarding the District's policy and administrative procedures to ensure that teachers annually review all educational materials for simplistic and demeaning generalizations lacking educational merit on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation. (3) By June 15, 2015, all teachers will complete an updated revision of the "Annual Examination of Educational Materials for Simplistic and Demeaning Generalizations" document that includes teacher responses to the following: -examination of curriculum and instructional materials that the teacher uses to ensure that these do not contain simplistic or demeaning generalizations, lacking educational merit, on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation. -steps to eliminate any simplistic and demeaning generalizations in curriculum, materials and/or instruction -lists of materials needed.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Prudence Marsh, Ed.D., Director of Student Support Services / Expected Date of Completion:
06/15/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Updated policy as described above, and Annual Examination of Educational Materials for Simplistic and Demeaning Generalizations completed by all teachers by June 15, 2015, and collected by the Director of Student Support Services.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
The New Salem-Wendell District/Swift River Elementary School will maintain updated policies, review procedures annually, and require all teachers to complete Annual Examination of Educational Materials documentation annually.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 24 Curriculum review / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:04/22/2015
Correction Status:Not Corrected
Basis for Decision:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will submit to the Department copies of the updated Access to Equal Educational Opportunity in the Basic Instructional Program policy and the Annual Examination of Educational Materials for Simplistic and Demeaning Generalizations that include the protected category of gender identity by June 29, 2015.
Submit copies of the agenda, dated attendance sheet with staff role and signature and copies of materials presented at the staff meeting conducted regarding the district's new policy and administrative procedures to ensure that teachers annually review all educational materials simplistic and demeaning generalizations lacking educational merit on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation by June 29, 2015.
Submit copies of the completed revised Annual Examination of Educational Materials for Simplistic and Demeaning Generalizations for all teachers that provides their responses specific to the examination of all educational materials for simplistic and demeaning generalizations, lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin and sexual orientation by June 29, 2015.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
06/29/2015

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